The National Park Service (NPS) at the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway announces that the annual permit required for camping on the Lower St. Croix River is now available. The permit is required for anyone camping along the St. Croix River between St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin – Taylors Falls, Minnesota, and the Soo Line High Bridge (river mile 29.5). Camping in this area is limited to designated campsites.

The camping permit is available free of charge at the St. Croix River Visitor Center. The visitor center is located at 401 North Hamilton Street in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, and can be reached at (715) 483-2274. It is currently open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. Beginning Saturday, May 4, the visitor center will be open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.

The application for a permit is also available online at www.nps.gov/sacn for people to print, read, sign, and mail to the visitor center. After reviewing the application, NPS staff will mail the permit.

When applying for a permit, campers agree to the following regulations:

Campers are required to bring in and use their own portable camp toilets or use onboard facilities on self-contained boats.

Campers must camp in designated campsites, which are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

A total of 20 primitive and 2 primitive group campsites have been established. Up to 8 people and 3 tents are allowed at individual campsites. Group sites accommodate 9 to 16 people and up to 6 tents. Larger groups need to split up or make arrangements to camp in one of the state parks along this section of river.

Camping is limited to 3 consecutive nights at any campsite and a maximum of 30 nights for the season.

Campsites must be occupied on the first night of stay.

The camping permit must be attached to the tent so it is clearly visible every time you camp in 2013.